The First Assembly of Virginia, held July 30, 1619List of the livinge and the dead in Virginia, Feb'y 16, 1623A briefe declaration of the plantation of Virginia, during the first twelve years, when Sir Thomas Smith was Governor of the CompanyA list of the number of men, women and children, inhabitants in the several Counties within the Collony of Virginia, in 1634A letter from Charles II., acknowledging the receipt of a present of Virginia Silk, 1668A list of the Parishes in Virginia, 1680Addenda

for the education of Indian children. Extravagance in dress was not prohibited, but the ministers were to profit by a tax on excess in apparel. On the whole, the record of these Proceedings will justify the opinion of Sir Edward Sandys, that "they were very well and judiciously carried." The different functions of government may have been confounded and the laws were not framed according to any speculative theory; but a perpetual interest attaches to the first elective body representing the people of Virginia, more than a year before the Mayflower, with the Pilgrims, left the harbor of Southampton, and while Virginia was still the oldest British Colony on the whole Continent of America.

GEORGE BANCROFT.

NEW YORK, October 3, 1856.

[A] "A Briefe Declaration of the Plantation of Virginia during the first twelve yeares, when Sir Thomas Smyth was Governor, of the Companie, and downe to this present tyme. By the Ancient Planters now remaining alive in Virginia."--MS. in my possess